Finger Lakes region gets $59.8 million economic development award

The Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council was awarded $59.8 million Wednesday during a presentation in Albany. It is the third-lowest funding total given to 10 councils statewide.

The Finger Lakes council was the grand prize winner in 2012, receiving $96.2 million. It was awarded $68.8 million in 2011, the first year of the competition.

Its two-year total of $165 million ranks third among the 10 councils.

The top five awardees this year were the Long Island council with $83 million, the Capital Region with $82.8 million, the Mohawk Valley council with $82.4 million, the Southern Tier council with $81.9 million and the North Country council with $81.3 million.

The Central New York council won $66.9 million, the Western New York council received $60.8 million, the Mid-Hudson council won $59.6 million and the New York City council was awarded $57.4 million.

The awards presentation began this morning in the Hart Theatre at the Egg Center for Performing Arts.